Military family moving to Tampa (Brandon, Bloomingdale: houses, neighborhoods, buy)

[grahamclan]

Seeking a community with larger military community to purchase a home in. I understand there is some place called "MacDill East" but do not know where that is. Just starting to look so would appreciate any guidance for an off base family. Thanks for your help. This site is great. I have enjoyed reading the threads and genuine interest, comments and assistance you all provide here! Thank you for keeping this a clean and friendly format !

[Spree]

MacDill East is probably in reference to the Valrico / Lithia area. Tons of military family, lots of families overall. It's about 35-45 mins to the base using the Crosstown Toll road, depending on where you live. Lithia is a little further out. During the day, it is easy to get around, however, there is a rush hour in the morning and evening for commuters.

The base also has a clinic off of Hwy 60 in Brandon, behind the Best Buy that's convenient. That's also near the mall, shopping and restaurants but you don't want to live in that area, too congested. Valrico is a little further south and east, same w/Lithia. Look for houses in the school districts of Bloomingdale and Newsome High schools. There's a lot of good schools there and plenty of houses in nice neighborhoods to choose from.

Since you are military, go to the website military by owner dot com. Plug in FL and MacDill AFB and it will pull up a bunch of houses from all over the Tampa are, you'll see a bunch in the Valrico & Lithia area.